Christianne May Named Southeast Region Principal of the Year
Christianne May Named Southeast Region Principal of the Year
Castle Hayne Elementary School Principal Christianne May has been named the 2024 Wells Fargo Southeast Region North Carolina Principal of the Year.
May was surprised with the recognition Monday morning at an event in the school's library where pre-schoolers gave her congratulatory hugs, and her teaching staff shared how she has built a work-hard, play-hard culture of respect and collaboration.
"My life has been and will continue to be positively impacted by Mrs. May," said second grade teacher Trevor Todd. "I know that I can go to Mrs. May with anything — positive or negative — that is happening in the building and she will meet me with a non-judgemental ear and will truly listen to what I am saying."
ESL Teacher Rosalie Cervini shared that May gives teachers the encouragement they need to push through challenging times. "Because of your leadership," she said, "we start each year being welcomed, and end each year wanting to return."
Under May's direction, Castle Hayne has gone from not meeting academic growth standards to exceeding them three years in a row, as well as increasing a letter grade. Her staff attributes that to the high expectations she holds for everyone who teaches or learns at the school.
As a principal she maintains an open-door policy to build relationships with staff, families, and district leaders. She knows every child in school by their name, Todd said, and she empowers teachers to take on school leadership roles.
May was named New Hanover County Schools Principal of the Year last spring, and she then went on to represent the district at the regional level. The regional selection process included an evaluation of the candidates through a portfolio review and interviews. May will now compete against principals from seven other regions and a principal from a charter school for the title of State Principal of the Year.
As the Wells Fargo Southeast Region Principal of the Year she will be honored at the state ceremony in May as well as serve on the state's Educator Quality Workgroup and other boards and committees.
In recent history, NHCS has had two regional principals of the year: Dr. Julie Duclos-Greenwood in 2010 and Dr. Robin Hamilton in 2015.
